Abstract
Aim: Opioid consumption and addiction are increasing worldwide, yet the USA stands out for its high addiction rates and opioid-related deaths. Considering that patient characteristics are comparable across western countries, physicians' prescribing modalities may influence opioid consumption. We conducted a pilot study to examine opioid-related beliefs and prescription habits of Dutch and American physicians. Methods & materials: A survey was administered to 488 physicians who routinely prescribe opioids for postoperative pain. Results: A total of 75 (16%) physicians responded to the survey. When deciding to prescribe opioids, Dutch physicians adopted a patient-guided approach, whereas most American doctors followed strict guidelines and protocols. Conclusion: This study identified significant differences between Dutch and American physicians' attitudes and prescribing modalities.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 239-250 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Pain Management Nursing |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 29 May 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2019 |
Keywords
- addiction
- opioid prescription
- opioids
- pain management
- physician survey
- postoperative pain